Woolworths manager denies assaulting employee

Michaela Whitbourn

A Woolworths manager at the centre of a $1.3 million sexual harassment suit has admitted he ''grabbed'' a female colleague but denied assaulting her.

Steven Clark, a former manager at Woolworths Blacktown, told the Federal Circuit Court in Sydney on Friday that former night duty manager Alysha Wilkie was distracted by another colleague so he seized her arm and pulled her into his office in May 2011 to talk to her.

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Mrs Wilkie is suing Woolworths under the Human Rights Commission Act, claiming she developed post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety as a result of alleged harassment by Mr Clark between February and May 2011, and that she attempted suicide in September 2012.

The mother of three told the court this week that she dyed her hair from blonde to brown and gained weight after the alleged incidents because she did not want anyone ''to touch me or look at me again''.

Bruises on Mrs Wilkie's arm days after the alleged assault. Photo: Supplied

''Why did you need to trespass into the bedroom of the employee and ask questions [about her sleeping habits]?'' Mr Blacket asked. ''I didn't have to,'' Mr Clark said. ''I was trying to make her feel more comfortable.'' The alternative would have been to reprimand her for being late.

Mr Clark admitted he also texted Mrs Wilkie the words ''you're soft'' while she was working on the night shift, but he said this was a reference to sales figures.